st. john baptist de la salle · throughout the lasallian world, may 15th is the day when his...

He was a French priest in the 17th century who came from a well-to-do family and was on the fast-track of a priestly career when he became involved with a group of men who were teaching poor children in parish charity schools. Within about five years he became completely devoted to the

Are there Brothers who become priests?Early on, De La Salle and the Brothers decided that they would best serve their mission by concentrating entirely on the ministry of teaching. The only priest in the order was him. Today, the Brothers remain the largest group of lay religious men in the Church devoted exclusively to education.

F A I T H • C O M M U N I T Y • S E R V I C E

St. John Baptist de La Salle

Who was John Baptist de La Salle?

education of these children and to the training of these men, forming them into a dedicated, competent, committed, and holy group of educators whose whole lives were dedicated to the ministry of teaching, to the students entrusted to their care, to each other, and through all of these ... to God.

Did he want to get involved in education? No, he got involved without meaning to do so. Much later in his life, De La Salle said that if he had known what his charitable help with those first schoolmasters would have led to, he would have dropped the whole thing immediately. But, he says, God “who guides all things with wisdom and serenity, whose way it is not to force the inclinations of persons, willed to commit me entirely to the development of the schools. He did this in an imperceptible way and over a long period of time so that one commitment led to another in a way that I did not foresee in the beginning.” What happened once he did get involved? Once involved, he gave away his wealth and became fully associated with the Brothers and with education. In the process, he wrote a school handbook that became a standard for Catholic education throughout Europe, a set of meditations for teachers, textbooks for students in the areas of reading, politeness, religious education, and many other works. By the end of his life in 1719 there were some 23 houses of Brothers teaching throughout France and a large body of educational writings. The educational movement that he began continues to be shaped by his life, his writings, and his inspirational presence.

Those who are called to priestly ministry, along with teaching, will find very good religious orders that do so. The Brothers bring the Gospel to the educational world with singleness of devotion and purpose, solely through teaching ministry.

Some quotations from the writings of De La Salle • “Be satisfied with what you can do, since this satisfies God, but do not spare yourself in what you can do with the help of grace. Be convinced that, provided you are willing, you can do more with the help of God’s grace than you imagine.”• “Most Christians regard decorum and civility only as human qualities, and do not realize that these virtues can relate us to God, to our neighbor, and to ourselves.”• “Generosity is the motive power of all noble actions, and perhaps the germ of all virtues.”• “The twelve virtues of the good teacher are gravity, silence, humility, prudence, wisdom, patience, reserve, meekness, zeal, vigilance, piety, and generosity.”• “You too can perform miracles by touching the hearts of the children confided to your care.”

The Patron of Teachers in the Catholic ChurchJohn Baptist de La Salle was canonized as a saint on May 15, 1900, and his statue stands in the middle of nave of St. Peter’s in Rome (right side, top level). Exactly fifty years later, in 1950, Pope Pius XII declared him to be the “Special Patron of All Teachers of Youth” in the Catholic Church. Today, throughout the Lasallian world, May 15th is the day when his legacy, his heritage, and his charism are celebrated.

St. John Baptist de La Salle (1651 – 1719) began an educational heritage of more than 300 years that ranges from store-front schools to great universities in over 80 countries. He is the Founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (known as the De La Salle Christian Brothers in the United States) and is the inspiration for some 77,000 educators in Lasallian institutions around the world. His writings continue to shape what teachers teach, how teachers teach, and why teachers teach. He is the Patron Saint of All Teachers of Youth in the Catholic Church. www.lasalle.org

The Vocation of the Brothers is a religious commitment to “association for the service of the poor through education.” Brothers are men who dedicate their lives to God in the ministry of education. They are serious about prayer, live a life in common, and are devoted to the lives of young people, especially the poor. The De La Salle Christian Brothers are the largest group of lay religious men in the Catholic Church who are dedicated exclusively to education.

www.brothersvocation.org

Lasallian Education around the world includes both formal institutions (64 colleges/universities, 900 primary/secondary schools, etc.) and innovative programs that reach out to those in need (30 vans in France to teach Gypsy children, a youth-crisis phone line in Australia that receives 30,000 calls a week, Catalyst Charter schools in Chicago, etc.). In non-Christian countries, Lasallian schools quietly witness to God’s Presence in all our lives and present Christ’s example in action. We are present in 84 countries around the world. www.lasalle.org

Lasallian educational spirituality arose from the experience of De La Salle and the early Brothers, developed through 300 years of expansion among many cultures, and forms the core of today’s Lasallian schools and agencies. It is a spirituality that has the school as its setting, the teacher as its focus, and the salvific potential of education as its inspiration. Elements include faith in the presence of God, quality education, concern for the poor and social justice, life through Jesus Christ, and a respect for all persons within an inclusive community. www.lasallenetwork.org

Lasallian Volunteers are dedicated, well-trained men and women who provide one or more years of service to schools and agencies of the Brothers whose mission is to serve the poor. Acting out of faith, rooted in the gospel, and sharing community with the Brothers and other Lasallians, the Volunteers empower the poor by personalized service primary through education. Lasallian Volunteers change the world for the better and discover themselves transformed in the process.

www.lasallianvolunteers.org

Lasallian Institutions in the United States comprise a wide spectrum of instituions and agencies. These include 7 Colleges / Universities, 54 High Schools, 13 Middle Schools, 17 “San Miguel” Schools, 3 Cristo Rey High Schools, and 5 elemen-tary schools. There are also many programs that address special educational needs, such as court-adjudicated youth, after school care, and residential supervision. New schools and educational outreach efforts continue to be established every year. www.cbconf.org

The Lasallian Educational Network

“People are hungry, especially the young.

They are hungry for God and you

are here to satisfy that hunger.

Be faithful to the great gift that God made

you to be teachers, educators, light,

His light in the world among young people.

The future of the world depends on what you do.”

Mother Teresa (Talk to the De La Salle Christian Brothers)

The Brothers have “demonstrated permanency

by providing for over three centuries an

astonishing array of activities from the most basic

literacy learning to the most complicated

technological learning for both children and adults . .

. so that they can be fully integrated

into community and society.”

United Nations (UNESCO Noma Prize)

“Union in a community is a precious gem,

which is why Our Lord so often

recommended it to his apostles before he died.

If we lose this, we lose everything.

Preserve it with care, therefore, if you want

your community to survive.”


The Lasallian spirituality of education calls forth ten attributes, qualities, priorities, or what are perhaps best called basic operative commitments that come from the writings of St. John Baptist de La Salle and are evident in the lived experience of Lasallian schools over the past 300+ years.

With Practical Orientation: De La Salle recognized the real needs of youth and taught what they needed to function in society. Lasallian teachers prepare students for their vocation and profession, for their personal life commitments, and for service to society and the Church. Lasallian Schools are realistic in their approach, methodology, and goals. “What do the students need?” is the rule.


Lasallian Spirituality

For More Information: www.lasallenetwork.org

“Touching the Hearts of Students”

by Br. George Van Grieken, [email protected]

&The publications section of

www.lasalle.org

Characteristics of Lasallian Schools

Centered in and Nurtured by the Life of Faith: De La Salle's overriding concern in all that he did was the life of faith, the reality of God's saving presence in the midst of daily experience. Lasallian teachers readily share their faith life with their students, both in their zeal for education and in their daily personal encounters. God's presence gradually becomes an evermore living and appreciated reality. Trusting Providence in Discerning God's Will: De La Salle confidently rested in a complete and radical trust in God's providential care for him, for the Institute, and for its work of education. Lasallian teachers share this radical trust by recogniz-ing God's face in every school or classroom situation. The work is God's work, first and last. With Creativity and Courage: De La Salle's commitment to the Christian Schools led him to make bold, creative moves in response to God's Will. Lasallian teachers demonstrate the creativity of God's Love through their daily resourcefulness and resilience, imagination and determination, ingenuity and persistence. The continual pursuit of innovative educational programs is the rule, not the exception. Through the Agency of the Holy Spirit: De La Salle often prayed to the Holy Spirit for guidance and urged his teachers to do the same. Christ's life is brought into the school by Lasallian teachers who are animated by the Spirit and willing to act accordingly. In a Lasallian School, the challenging, unpredict-able, hidden life of the Spirit is given attention and is heeded. Incarnating Christian Paradigms and Dynamics: De La Salle educated the young in order to make God's saving presence a reality in their lives. Teachers seek and reveal God's presence in the minutiae of the exercise of their ministry, seeing Jesus Christ in their students, teaching, and goal. In a Lasallian School, Gospel maxims and Gospel norms provide the basis upon which its organizational and relational structure is built.

Devoted to Education, Accessible and Comprehensive: De La Salle provided an education that was available to all who desired it and that comprehensively prepared youth to participate in their society. Lasallian teachers affirm that education consists of more than facts, figures and skills; that true education forms a person towards Christian maturity and responsible character. Lasallian Schools intentionally educate a diverse range of students and provide a wide-ranging, comprehensive curriculum. Committed to the Poor: De La Salle's concern was for the poor, the neglected and the overlooked. Lasallian teachers give greater attention to the neglected, to the marginalized, and to the less appealing students. Service projects and outreach programs bring the poor's voice into the lives of students. Lasallian Schools are schools where programs that address the educational needs of the poor are an evident, clear priority. Working in Association: De La Salle's efforts with teachers became more and more effective as he united them into a group with a common vision, a shared mission. Lasallian teachers come together as brothers and sisters associated with bonds of mutual respect, cooperation, generosity, patience, humor, and humility. Lasallian Schools are not autonomous schools but operate in collaboration with others to accomplish their ministry of education “together and by association.” Expressing a Lay Vocation: De La Salle established a group of teachers who were to be dedicated to teaching as "Brothers" without directly being part of the clerical structures of the Church. Lasallian teachers reach out to their students in companionship, as older brothers and sisters, guiding their developing life of faith and modeling the identity of a lay person in the Church. Lasallian Schools advance the role of the laity in the Church by educating towards responsible, active participa-tion in the life of the Church as a member of the Body of Christ. Brothers share in that lay character and are shaped by it.

ARIZONASan Miguel High School – Tucson, AZ

CALIFORNIACathedral High School – Los Angeles, CAChristian Brothers High School – Sacramento, CAChristian Brothers Ranch – Napa, CADe La Salle Chapel – San Jose, CADe La Salle High School – Concord, CADe Marillac Academy – San Francisco, CAInstituto Fe y Vida – Stockton, CAJustin-Siena High School – Napa, CALa Salle High School – Pasadena, CALasallian Educational Opportunities (LEO) – Oakland, CALatino Adult Institute – Napa, CASacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory – San Francisco, CASaint Mary's College High School – Berkeley, CASaint Mary's College of California – Moraga, CA

COLORADOJ.K. Mullen High School – Denver, CO

ILL INOISBrother David Darst Center – Chicago, ILCatalyst Charter School Howland – Chicago, ILCatalyst Charter School Circle Rock – Chicago, ILCB Investment Services – Oak Brook, ILChristian Brothers Services – Romeoville, ILDe La Salle Institute School – Chicago, ILDe La Salle Institute – Lourdes Hall – Chicago, ILDriscoll Catholic High School – Addison, ILLa Salle Manor Retreat Center – Plano, ILLewis University – Romeoville, ILMontini Catholic High School – Lombard, ILSan Miguel Schools – Back of the Yards – Chicago, ILSan Miguel Schools – Gary Comer – Chicago, ILSt. Joseph High School – Westchester, ILSt. Patrick High School – Chicago, ILTolton Adult Ed. Center – Bee Branch – Chicago, ILTolton Adult Ed. Center – Legler Branch – Chicago, IL

LOUISIANAArchbishop Rummel High School – Metairie, LACathedral-Carmel School – Lafayette, LACatholic High School – New Iberia, LAChristian Brothers School – New Orleans, LADe La Salle High School – New Orleans, LASt. Paul's School – Covington, LA

MARYLANDCalvert Hall College – Baltimore, MDSaint Frances Academy – Baltimore, MDThe Bishop Walsh School – Cumberland, MDThe Cardinal Gibbons School – Baltimore, MD

MICHIGANDe La Salle Collegiate – Warren, MI

MINNESOTACretin-Derham Hall – St. Paul, MNDeLaSalle High School – Minneapolis, MNDunrovin (Christian Brothers Retreat Center) – St. Croix, MNHoly Family Catholic High School – Victoria, MNSaint Mary's Press – Winona, MNSaint Mary's University of Minnesota – Winona, MNSaint Mary's University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, MNSan Miguel Middle School of Minneapolis – Minneapolis, MNTotino-Grace High School – Fridley, MN

MISSOURIArchbishop O'Hara High School – Kansas City, MOChristian Brothers College High School – St. Louis, MODe La Salle at St. Matthew – St. Louis, MOHelias High School – Jefferson City, MOHoly Family Catholic Worker Community – Kansas City, MOLa Salle Institute Retreat Center – Wildwood, MOLasallian Tutors Program – Kansas City, MO

MONTANADe La Salle Blackfeet School – Browning, MT

NEBRASK ARoncalli High School – Omaha, NE

NE W MEXICOCollege of Santa Fe – Santa Fe, NMSangre de Cristo Center – Santa Fe, NMSt. Michael's High School – Santa Fe, NM

NE W JERSEYChristian Brothers Academy – Lincroft, NJDe La Salle Hall – Lincroft, NJHudson Catholic High School – Jersey City, NJOcean Rest Educational Center – Ocean City, NJSan Miguel School – Camden, NJ

NE W YORKBishop Loughlin Memorial High School – Brooklyn, NYChristian Brothers Academy – Albany, NYChristian Brothers Academy – Syracuse, NYCristo Rey High School – New York, NYGeorge Jackson School – New York, NYHighbridge Community Life Center – Bronx, NYHoly Names of Jesus School – New York, NYLa Salle Academy – New York, NYLa Salle Institute – Troy, NYLa Salle School – Albany, NYManhattan College – Bronx, NYMartin De Porres High School – Brooklyn, NYMartin De Porres School – Springfield Gardens, NYSaint Gabriel School – East Elmhurst, NYSan Miguel Academy, Newburgh, NYSt. Joseph's Collegiate Institute – Buffalo, NYSt. Peter's Boys High School – Staten Island, NYSt. Raymond Family Outreach Center – Bronx, NYSt. Raymond High School – Bronx, NY

OHIOLa Salle High School – Cincinnati, OH

OKLAHOMABishop Kelly High School – Tulsa, OKSan Miguel Middle School – Tulsa, OK

OREGONDe La Salle North Catholic High School – Portland, ORLa Salle Catholic College Preparatory – Milwaukie, OR

PENNSYLVANIAChristian Brothers Spiritual Center – Philadelphia, PACentral Catholic High School – Pittsburgh, PADe La Salle Aftercare – Philadelphia, PADe La Salle In Towne – Philadelphia, PADe La Salle Vocational – Philadelphia, PALa Salle Academy – Philadelphia, PALa Salle College High School – Wyndmoor, PALa Salle University – Philadelphia, PARousseau Academy – Philadelphia, PASaint Gabriel's Hall – Audubon, PASeton-La Salle High School – Pittsburgh, PAWest Catholic High School – Philadelphia, PA

RHODE ISLANDLa Salle Academy – Providence, RISaint Raphael's Academy – Pawtucket, RISan Miguel School – Providence, RIThe Ocean Tides, Inc. – Narragansett, RITides Family Services – West Warwick, RI

TENNESSEEChristian Brothers High School – Memphis, TNChristian Brothers University – Memphis, TNDe La Salle at Blessed Sacrament – Memphis, TNHoly Names School – Memphis, TN

TEXASCathedral High School – El Paso, TX

WASHINGTONLa Salle High School – Yakima, WA

WASHINGTON D.C.Saint John's College High School – Washington, D.C.San Miguel Middle School – Washington, DC

WISCONSINRoncalli High School – Manitowoc, WISan Juan Diego Middle School – Racine, WI

U.S. SPONSORED AND SUPPOR TEDDe La Salle College Oaklands – Toronto, CanadaCentro La Salle – Tijuana, MexicoBethlehem University – West Bank, Palestine


Lasallian Education in the USA

For More Information: www.cbconf.orgwww.lasalle.org

www.lasallenetwork.org


Lasallian Education Around the World

The Purpose of Lasallian Education

“to provide a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor, according to the ministry which the Church has entrusted to it.” (Rule, Art. 3)

In 84 Countries

933 Schools

878,249 Students

5,322 Brothers

77,361 Teachers

64 Colleges / Universities

The Range of Lasallian Education

Quebec, Canada - Reception centers for travellers and drug addicts.San Gabriel, Bolivia - The teachers of Radio/TV serve 2 million Aymara Indians on the high plateaux children run by Spanish Districts.Abidjan & Byumba, Rwanda - Centers for street children .Australia - A toll-free telephone service covering the whole of Australia for young people with problems (30,000 calls a week), supported by a finely adjusted technology and a major countrywide fundraising system.Alexandria & Cairo, Egypt - 3 centers for the mentally handicapped.Poland - 3 centers for mentally handicapped children.France - 5 Brothers and 30 lay persons have created a network of 36 mobile classrooms (in vans adapted for the purpose), teaching 5,000 Gypsy children as they travel around the country and creating a successful teach-ing approach and way of working that is unique to that population.South India - “Reaching the Unreached” which for the last 30 years has helped and educated local people. Among their accomplishments: 70 villages reorganised; 2,000 wells dug; 1,600 family homes built by the local people; work for women (widows looking after orphans); vocational schools for adults, and other schools for many groups.Kushpur, Pakistan - Several schools and the only Catechist center for the country, where both parish catechists and their wives take classes.Cameroons - Courses & resources on responsible paternity-maternity.Australia & France - Associations to help young pregnant women.Vietnam - Motorcycle repair schools for street kids, art schools, etc.Kenya - Christ the Teacher Institute for training teachers throughout AfricaHoly Land - Bethlehem University and a high school in Tel Aviv which both Christian, Jewish, and Moslem students attend.

The Motive for Lasallian EducationIt is the constant desire of those engaged in Lasallian education to remain faithful to those who are most in need of their educational services. Such services are directed to the whole person - taking the person and his/her needs for an effective and fulfilling life as the starting point.

The Principle of Lasallian EducationThe vast majority of Lasallian educational institutions are fairly traditional schools at all academic levels that provide solid, high-quality, personalized education. From that core foundation emerge local, regional, and national programs that are able to push the educational envelope with creativity, courage, and wide-spread support across the Lasallian world. Some examples: * San Miguel Schools * Charter Schools * After School Programs * Immersion Programs * Inner-city Youth Programs * Literacy Programs * Inter-faith Dialogue * Family Support Programs * Twinned Schools ProgramThe training of teachers and creation of novel teaching materials and methods in the US, Europe, Latin America and elsewhere continues to be a Lasallian priority. If we can’t find it, we’ll make it.

For More Information:

[email protected]

(202) 529 - 0047

Hecker Center3025 Fourth Street, NEWashington, DC 20017

• Pawtucket and Providence, RI • Albany, Bronx, Brooklyn, Freeport, Manhattan, Newburgh and Springfield Gardens, NY • Camden, NJ • Philadelphia, PA • Baltimore, MD • Chicago, IL • Racine, WI

• Kansas City, MO • Memphis, TN • Tulsa, OK • Minneapolis,MN • Browning, MT • Yakima, WA • Portland, OR • Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA

Lasallian Volunteers are generous and talented men and women from diverse backgrounds across the Untied States who directly serve the poor through working and living in community with the DeLa Salle Christian Brothers, Lasallian Partners and other Volunteers. This close interaction

Who Are The Lasallian Volunteers?

deepens the Volunteers’ experience, enlivens the community and enriches the service to the poor.

Who Are The De La Salle Christian Brothers? The De La Salle Christian Brothers are a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church that was founded for the purpose of educating poor children. The History of Lasallian Volunteers In the early 1980’s,in response to the needs of the poor served by the De La Salle Christian Brothers in the Midwest and New York,communities of Brothers invited lay volunteers to join them in their mission.By the early 1990’s, the Lasallian Volun-teer Program had grown into a national movement associated with Christian Brothers Conference. Today the Lasallian Volun-teer Program annually provides close to 50 women and men for one or more years of service to Lasallian missions in some of the poorest neighborhoods in America.

Qualifications Needed For Successful Lasallian Volunteers • College degree or related work experience • Interest in living with an organized, faith-based community • Ability to make a one-three year commitment to the program • Attendance at an eight-day orientation in August, a midyear and debriefing retreat,and in-services during the year • Flexibility,reliability and enthusiasm • Sense of humor,openness to people and a willingness to learn • Concern for social justice and the ability to live simply

What Does The Volunteer Receive? • Room,board and a small stipend • Medical insurance • College loan deferment or forbearance • AMERICORPS education awards • Spiritual growth and reflection • Meaningful career experience

Where Do They Do This Work?

Openings for domestic placements do vary. Please ask about any new placements not listed above.

Alumni Of our over 350+ former volunteers . . . • Half volunteered at least two years • Some have taken positions at their Lasallian ministries after finishing as a volunteer • Some are involved with overseas missions • Most former volunteers pursue: • Teaching in elementary and secondary schools • Graduate degrees in social work and education • Social service positions in urban environments

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Lasallian VolunteersF A I T H • C O M M U N I T Y • S E R V I C E

st. john baptist de la salle · throughout the lasallian world, may 15th is the day when his...

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